Director of Marketing

Director of Marketing Gordon Sinclair | Promotional Products Supplier Department: Marketing | Reports To: Leadership | Type: Full-Time About Gordon Sinclair Gordon Sinclair is an established supplier in the promotional products industry, producing high-quality branded merchandise distributed through a national network of promotional products distributors. We design and supply items across apparel, bags, drinkware, and specialty goods — helping our distributor partners bring impactful brand programs to life for their end-buyer clients. Our team is fast-moving, collaborative, and passionate about what great product marketing can do for a brand. About Us: At Gordon Sinclair, we are trusted makers of well-crafted and beautifully brandable merchandise for work, home, and all the moments in between. Our foundation is built on the following core values: Trustworthy: Our foundation is built on trust and integrity. We are reliable, honest, and committed to doing the right thing. One Team: Together, we achieve greatness. We celebrate our victories, learn from our losses, and support each other every step of the way. Our strength lies in our unity. Resourceful: We are proactive problem-solvers. We encourage continuous learning and adapt to challenges with innovative solutions, ensuring confidentiality and excellence for our employees and customers. Creative: Innovation is at our core. We bring creativity to our product decoration and customer service, always finding unique solutions to meet our customers' needs. Positive: We foster a positive environment by assuming good intentions, celebrating successes publicly, and providing constructive feedback privately. Respect for everyone is paramount. Accountable: We uphold the highest standards. We follow through on our commitments and set clear expectations, holding ourselves and each other accountable. Position Overview See It. Build It. Lead It. Gordon Sinclair | Promotional Products Supplier This is not a “manage what exists” marketing leadership role. This is a build the foundation, lead the people, and shape the future of the department role. We’re looking for someone who thrives in ambiguity — someone who doesn’t wait for the roadmap, the systems, or the structure to be handed to them. You see what marketing needs to become, you create the vision, and you build the path to get it there. This role is ideal for a leader who has built marketing structure where little existed before and who leads people with empathy, clarity, and conviction. What This Role Really Is You lead marketing. Not just the work — the function. From department vision to team development, from sales alignment to brand evolution, you are the leader responsible for creating the marketing foundation Gordon Sinclair needs to grow. You think big, create order, and bring people with you. You are not here to simply oversee activity. You are here to build a department that works. You’re not driven by ego — you’re driven by people, progress, and outcomes. What We’re Looking For People-first leader — you build trust, develop talent, and create clarity Visionary thinker — you see what marketing can become and know how to move it there Builder by nature — you create structure, systems, and direction where little exists Strategic and practical — you can think long-term and still guide execution Persuasive communicator — you influence across teams and bring people with you Cross-functional leader — you partner seamlessly with Leadership, Sales, Product, and Operations High standards, high accountability — you own outcomes, not excuses What You’ll Own Marketing Vision & Direction — define what marketing is, where it is going, and how it supports business growth Department Leadership — lead, coach, and develop the Marketing Manager and build the function over time Brand & Market Strategy — strengthen how Gordon Sinclair shows up in the market across B2B and B2C audiences Sales & Business Alignment — ensure marketing is connected to revenue, product priorities, and commercial needs Systems & Structure — build the processes, planning rhythms, priorities, and metrics that make marketing run effectively Integrated Marketing Leadership — guide launches, campaigns, digital presence, trade shows, and team execution at a strategic level What Success Looks Like - The Marketing Manager is supported, developed, and set up to succeed - Marketing has clear priorities, structure, and accountability - The brand is consistent, visible, and trusted across the industry - Sales and leadership see marketing as a strong strategic partner - Marketing activity is tied to business growth — not just output - The department runs with clarity, purpose, and momentum Key Responsibilities Vision, Strategy & Department Leadership - Define the overall vision, strategy, and direction for the marketing function - Build the marketing foundation, including planning rhythms, workflows, priorities, and performance expectations - Create annual and quarterly marketing roadmaps aligned with company goals, sales priorities, and product initiatives - Bring focus and clarity to a department that is still being built Team Leadership & Development - Lead, coach, and develop the Marketing Manager - Create a people-first culture grounded in trust, accountability, collaboration, and growth - Clarify ownership, decision-making, and expectations across marketing responsibilities - Identify future team needs and help shape the growth of the department over time Brand & Market Strategy - Define and strengthen Gordon Sinclair’s brand positioning, messaging, and market presence within the promotional products supplier space - Ensure brand consistency across campaigns, sales tools, product launches, digital channels, and events - Identify market trends, customer insights, and industry opportunities that can shape strategic direction - Guide how Gordon Sinclair communicates value to distributor partners and broader end-market audiences Sales Alignment & Commercial Support - Partner closely with Leadership, Sales, Product, and Operations to align marketing efforts with business priorities - Ensure marketing supports sales growth through strong enablement, product storytelling, and strategic campaign direction - Help create alignment between marketing strategy and the needs of distributor audiences - Guide the development of tools, messaging, and programs that help the business win Digital, Content & Channel Leadership - Oversee Gordon Sinclair’s strategic presence across industry and digital channels including ESP, SAGE, ASI, email, and social platforms - Ensure content, campaigns, and digital visibility support both brand and revenue goals - Guide content planning and campaign direction so the brand stays active, relevant, and differentiated - Evaluate performance and make strategic decisions about where marketing should invest time and energy Trade Shows, Launches & Integrated Marketing Execution - Provide strategic leadership for key product launches, trade shows, distributor events, and marketing campaigns - Ensure marketing efforts across launches, events, collateral, and digital channels are aligned and effective - Guide execution through the Marketing Manager and external resources while maintaining high standards for quality and follow-through - Help the organization show up with consistency, confidence, and strong storytelling in the market Operational Structure & Performance - Build the systems and structure needed for marketing to operate effectively and sustainably - Improve planning, prioritization, and visibility across all marketing initiatives - Establish KPIs and reporting that connect marketing efforts to meaningful business impact - Ensure marketing operates with discipline, urgency, and accountability Qualifications Required - 8+ years of progressive marketing experience, including leadership responsibility - Demonstrated experience building, rebuilding, or scaling a marketing function, team, or department - Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach, mentor, and develop others - Experience in a B2B product-driven environment; B2C exposure is a plus - Strong strategic thinking skills with the ability to turn vision into action - Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills - Strong organizational and operational leadership skills in fast-moving environments Preferred - Experience in the promotional products industry (supplier, distributor, or agency side) - Familiarity with supplier/distributor business models and B2B2C dynamics - Experience supporting sales enablement, product launches, trade shows, and brand development - Familiarity with industry platforms: ESP, SAGE, ASI - Experience building foundational marketing structure in a department with limited existing infrastructure